Save on your summer holiday!
With many of us booking our annual breaks this month, we’ve searched far and wide for the best tricks to nab your hard-earned rest in the sun for less
FLY ON A TUESDAY OR SUNDAY
“For long-haul flights, book two to four months ahead; for shorter trips, you can look closer to the travelling date. Look at comparison sites like Kayak.co.uk and Skyscanner.net and sign up to their price alerts,” says Sam Katterfield, travel expert from Holidaypirates (holidaypirates.com). “Being flexible is helpful when it comes to getting a cheap flight – midweek flights are usually cheaper, as are early and late timings. Research suggests that the lowest fares are often on Sundays and Tuesdays, so these could be good days to book.”
FOLLOW HOTELS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“If you have a specific hotel in mind, follow their social media accounts for offers, and join their loyalty scheme to receive discounts, special offers and even free nights,” says Sam. “If there’s nothing on their personal pages, Google to see if there are any discount codes in circulation that you could use before booking.” Check options like Airbnb, too. Sam adds, “Airbnb offer good value and home comforts. They also have some quirky options, like tree houses and penthouse apartments.”
PLAN AHEAD FOR AIRPORT PARKING
“Leaving your car at the airport can cost a fortune, but if you plan in advance, you can cut the cost by up to a third,” explains Sam. “Off-site and local car parks will be the cheapest, but their security and availability might be limited. Check comparison sites like Looking4. com and Skyparksecure.com for the best deals. Groupon and Wowcher also offer discounts on airport parking.”
FIND OUT ABOUT SALES
“If you are travelling for a ‘standard’ period of time, like seven, 10 or 14 days, a travel deal might be a good option, as providers typically arrange their deals in bulk, which could save you some money,” explains Sam. “Join the mailing lists of Holidaypirates.com and Trivago. co.uk to hear about their sales.”
GET CASHBACK ON YOUR TRIP
You could get up to £94.50 back when booking via cashback websites. Topcashback.co.uk are offering members up to 13%, or £94.50, when booking with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Thomas Cook, Virgin Atlantic, Jet2holidays and more. That means extra spending money!
BE AWARE OF SCAMS
Be mindful that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. “Do your research if booking with a new company, to check they have a clear customer support section, with a phone number and email address. Also check their social media,” says Sam. “Pay by credit card if you can for extra protection. After booking, you should receive confirmation and a receipt with all the correct details including your flight times, name and the amount you’ve paid.”